Led by CPA firm McConnell Jones and Banks, Finley, White & Company, the City of Montgomery conducted a performance review of departments and organizations to ensure the effective and efficient performance of the City.
“I believe that it’s important that government be transparent and held accountable for the time and money it has been entrusted with” said City of Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed.
The firm specializes in auditing government organizations and services. In the findings, the research team identified five overall areas of improvement opportunities, including technology, planning, personnel staffing, policies and procedures, and management reporting.
Overall, the audit made 60 recommendations across the first 11 city organizations examined and highlighted the fiscal impact of necessary changes.
Some of the review findings include the need for organizations to acquire new or leverage existing technology, increase proper planning in important areas, work to fill vacancies and replace retirement-eligible employees, and develop clear policies and procedures.
Updating to new software, improving planning processes, and developing new policies and procedures are strides that many of the audited city organizations are already making to ensure increased efficiency. Making such changes will streamline processes and improve operations through greater efficiency, modernization, and responsiveness.
It is estimated that the city could save roughly 11.2 million dollars over the next five years. City organizations that were reviewed are already at work putting to use some of the recommendations as highlighted by McConnell Jones.
Creative action plans, or CAPs, are also currently being created in partnership with McConnell Jones for the more complex recommendations.
“McConnell Jones estimates that their recommendations could save two million dollars over the next year, and two to three million dollars each additional year after that, certainly demonstrating the return on investment of doing good business and having good government,” Reed said.
